"They're in response to politics in part. In part, some strong emotions that are generated by people. Some of whom are good people, but I just disagree with them, when it comes to respecting the equal rights of all people, regardless of sexual orientation," he said.

In Mississippi, Republican Governor Phil Bryant has signed a law allowing officials and businesses to deny marriage-related services to gay people or refuse to employ them if they feel it would violate their religious beliefs.

North Carolina last week moved to curtail a law targeting gay and transgender people, following a growing backlash from companies and celebrities, but stopped short of ending limits to public bathroom access.

"I think it's very important for us not to send signals that anybody is treated differently," Obama said.